Michael Milton OAM
Winter Paralympian, Resilience & High-Performance Speaker
From surviving cancer to becoming Australia’s most successful Winter Paralympian, Michael’s story is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. Through compelling storytelling and practical insight, he inspires audiences to confront adversity, challenge perceived limits and perform at their best — no matter the obstacles.
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Michael Milton OAM is Australia’s most decorated Winter Paralympian, a three-time cancer survivor, ultra-endurance athlete and trailblazer in adaptive sport. Born in Canberra, Michael lost his left leg to bone cancer at the age of nine. Rather than allowing adversity to define him, he transformed it into a platform for extraordinary achievement, making his Paralympic debut at just 14 years old at the 1988 Innsbruck Winter Games.
Over a 20-year elite skiing career, Michael competed in six Winter Paralympic Games, winning an extraordinary 22 medals — including 12 gold — and setting multiple world records. He became the first Australian to win a Winter Paralympic gold medal and remains the nation’s most successful Winter Paralympian.
Michael’s pursuit of excellence extends well beyond the ski slopes. He has also competed at an elite level as a Paralympic cyclist, ultra-marathon runner and adventure athlete, continually pushing physical and mental boundaries while redefining what is possible.
In recognition of his exceptional contribution to Australian sport, Michael was elevated to Legend status in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2024 — an honour reserved for the nation’s most iconic athletes, alongside figures such as Don Bradman, Dawn Fraser and Cathy Freeman.
Today, Michael is a highly sought-after motivational speaker, known for combining laconic wit with deeply powerful storytelling. His presentations draw on lived experience to explore resilience, adaptability, leadership and sustained high performance under pressure.
